JOON POV:

There's a sadness, a melancholy that clings to (Y/N) for a few days, ever since she steps out of a bedroom with both Jiminie and Tae clinging to her, wrapping her up close and the feeling of hurt echoing through the bond. And she doesn't move to part from Jiminie's side for the next few days, plastered to him at every available moment, a small frown and lost look whenever he wasn't in her line of sight, the worry and tight knot of niggling fear easing up through the bond when he stepped through the doorway and when she was tucked against him, clutching at him.

And when Jiminie and Tae had explained she'd heard Jimin's story about how he'd met us, the bond had ached, weighed down with the pain of the past, faces flickering with shadows of memories, haunted expressions before smoothening out. Because he was here. He was safe. He never had to feel that way again and we'd never let him be used.

And her response is understandable, that need to cling, to reassure herself he was fine even if centuries had passed, because for her it was all new and sudden. For her she was trying to get her head around it, process it. And I could see in the flickering glances she gave when he wasn't looking was pain and restlessness.

And for all that she'd fallen asleep with Jimin always on one side and the other space taken by us for the past few nights, her sleep had been restless too. The faint dark circles attested to that. So did the pained, restless whimpers as she shifted in sleep- drawing us from unconscious, a tug that had us rising out of sleep to respond to the distressed sound of our baby mate.

And yet what I don't expect is for her to just vanish.

One moment she's contently curled between Kookie and Jiminie and the next Kookie is padding into my room, a ball of restless nervous energy as he gently rouses me awake, as he whispers that she's just gone. That the space between him and Jiminie was void and the sheets long gone cold and undisturbed.

It takes time to convince him to go back to sleep, to sidle close to Jiminie so that he doesn't feel her physical absence in his sleep and wait until Kookie's trusting worried eyes flutter shut and he tucks himself into Jiminie's arms before I leave. Before I set out to find her, so confidently having reassured Kookie that she's probably wondering in the house or the house has opened up one of the hidden passages to her and she's just gotten lost exploring. Trying not to let the panic my soul was thrumming with seep out and affect him, though the frowned face he'd sported even as he'd obliged made me wonder just how effective it had been.

And I should've known when I turned away from their bedroom door, that Jin hyung would've sensed the shift in the nest, looking at me with flickering red eyes and an unimpressed look.

"Were you even planning on coming to get me Namjoon-ah?" he asks, voice soft and somewhat dangerous in the silence of the house, smooth and gentle and yet I hear the chiding tone, hear the protectiveness flare as he's undoubtedly now aware of our baby mate missing at this time of the night.

I shrivel under his look, feeling abashed and contrite.

"...yes?" I answer.

His brows rise but a flicker of fondness flashes through them.

"You don't sound too sure honey." He replies, stepping close, the air thick and heavy with his presence, the sight of him demanding the attention of every one of my senses, hyperconscious of how he fills the space, how his broad frame exudes strength, centuries of experience and contained power- only a mere glimpse of it shown to the world.

And then his hand comes forward to lace mine with his.

"Let's go find her." he says softly.

I nod, tongue-tied all of a sudden at the close proximity, at the dizzying rush of the intertwined coven scent that radiates off him, warm and heavy- clinging to him and inviting me in.

Let's go find her.

And finally put that uneasy restlessness to sleep.

------

"Hyung threatening the door won't help! And you'll wake the entire house." I hiss, trying to tug Jin hyung back from where he's stubbornly trying to push the door open, the door which the house seems to have sealed against us.

I sigh, watching as he threatens the house to strip it off its power, to somehow try to find a way to undo the complex centuries deep wards put into place.

"Hyung we told her she'd never needed to feel as if she had to let us into her safe space." I remind him, heart clenching painfully when he turns to look at me and there's a flash of vulnerability that sears across his features, shoulders drooping, defeated.

"I just want to get a glimpse of her, if she's fine I won't pry, I never will. But it hurts to leave her alone when she could be hurting, when I know she is." He confesses, voice thick, so deeply heavy with emotion that it makes me crumble, makes my soul ache and yearn when his eyes fill with need and longing.

"Can't we see her? For a moment?" I murmur, not knowing why I voice those words as I move my arm past Jin hyung to give a tentative knock, the silence deafening from beyond the door, not expecting that the lightest of knocks is what would change it.

Would bring slowly growing audible footsteps and the door cracking open, (Y/N)'s head peering out and face twisting in shock.

"Oppa what's wrong? Did something happen?" she asks as she slips out from behind the door, still adorably drowning in one of Kookie's t-shirts except she's wearing a paint-stained apron over it and her hair is bundled up and out of the way- save for the few tendrils that escape and curl around her face and neck.

Jin hyung slumps, looking so relieved at the sight of an unharmed, unhurt baby mate, even if the bond pulses with deep sorrow from her, that he doesn't say anything as he tugs her into his arms, folding her into his protective embrace even as she complains and wriggles that he'll get paint on his pyjamas.

"Stay still darling, he's not got any intention of letting go." I say, watching as her face flashes to me in silent question.

And when he eventually lets her go, it's to hold her at arm's length and run red eyes over her.

"You vanished." I say plaintively.

And her face twists with understanding, taking in Jin hyung's red eyes and my own stiff posture before she droops, apologetically wilting before our eyes.

"I'm sorry...I didn't think anyone would wake up before I got back." She says.

She fiddles with her apron before moving to stretch her arms towards me, a silent invitation for a hug.

"Want one?" is all she manages to get out before I'm tugging her into my arms to cradle her close, shaking slightly with relief when the tones of her own sweet scent trail out from under our shared coven scent, unharmed, whole, content even.

"You'll give me a heart attack." I murmur.

She gives a small huff.

"Vampires don't have beating hearts." She says with certainty.

I lean back and brush my nose against hers.

"But we can hurt, we can still be in pain. And you baby mate are hellbent on making my existence stressful." I gripe lightly, watching as her face scrunches and she shakes her head- eyes holding a flicker of doubt before I kiss her forehead.

"But you can give me all the grey hairs you want." I say softly.

She smiles before her head turns to peer at the door.

"Do you want to come in?" she offers.

Jin hyung beams at that, nodding enthusiastically- the house seemed to have a vendetta against letting him in it seemed. He was seizing the opportunity.

And her offering and we'd reject, couldn't even dream of it.

"Just give me a minute." She says before disentangling herself to rush back in, door clicking shut and sound fading out, no indication of what she's doing inside until the door unlocks, shifting back to grant entry.

And when we enter we see her closing a large storage space, a door that panned over a vault of sorts and she gives a lilting smile over her shoulder.

"Can't have anything being leaked can I now?" she teases and it takes only moments to realise that behind the same doors of the vault lie her work. As Amparo.

As the artist who'd snuck into our hearts long before we'd known that the tug would go beyond her soul calling ours with each stroke of paint.

And I eye the vault with newfound interest, only tugged away from it's sight when she wraps her hand around our wrists to move us away.

"It's impossible to break into." She says before she leads us to a blank wall, easily sinking to sit cross legged on the floor, eyeing the white pristine stretch of wall with a contemplative look.

But there's a fatigue that clings to her body despite how alert she is. Has Jin hyung immediately shifting close to sit beside her, knees brushing and a kiss pressed to her hairline.

"Can't sleep petal?" I ask as I sit behind her, cradling her body between mine, legs on either side of her hips and nuzzling the nape of her neck.

She shivers before tilting her head forward, shifting to give me more access to her skin and giving a shaky sigh when I brush kisses to her skin, her hand going to clutch at Jin hyung's pyjama pant, fingers fisting into soft silky fabric.

"No." she confesses.

"Still thinking about Jiminie's story?" Jin hyung astutely says and she nods, hand fisting tighter as the bond flares with hints of distress. I shift close to press her to me completely, so not an inch of space remains between us, unwilling to leave even the slightest distance between us.

"Want me to help? Want me to tell you another one?" I ask as her restless hands reach forward for a sketching tool eyeing the wall.

"Please. But...but a happy one." she says.

She fidgets, looking at the wall with longing.

Jin hyung makes a small sound low in his throat- staring at her with endeared eyes.

"You can work and listen little one. Joonie's arms and mine will be waiting afterwards." He reassures, giving her that nudge to slowly shift close.

But before her hand reaches the wall she turns to face me.

"Tell me please." She requests.

And with such soft tenderness in her request how could I do anything except comply immediately?

"I'll tell you my story instead. Far more unique I'll say." I say with a laugh.

And Jin hyung's echoing sound of joy doesn't dispel the comment, encourages it.

Pushes me to recollect memories centuries old and yet fresh as if they've just happened.

To remember a flowery field, an old tree and my two mates.

------

I wasn't hiding. Not intentionally anyways, but when the first of small, whispered murmurs make my ears prick up I wish that they don't find me. That they don't think I was hiding to eavesdrop- stars above that would be mortifying. I didn't mean to be hidden behind the large trunk; I was only trying to see if I could make vines grow. And now it looked like I was caught at the site where two lovers, voice deep soft masculine lilts murmuring gently to each other. I wasn't human but I was sure not only were my cheeks flaming but my whole body was alight in embarrassment. This was not how I wanted people to remember me! Or for the label to stick to the only son the Kims had. Lord take me now. Ground open up and swallow me whole I begged.

Why didn't my roots with nature extend to this? Why wouldn't the ground give way and just take me? Why weren't the roots wrapping around my ankles and taking me away from this clearly intimate private moment I'd been caught in?

"You're just the sweetest hyung. Thank you...for all of this." A soft voice murmurs, the sound of a small sound of contentment and bodies shifting.

I feel my cheeks flame at the soft whispered intimacies as the other voice promises everything and anything for his cherished one, for his soul bonded, his mate.

Mate. What a beautiful link.

Far more beautiful than the endless fields of flowers in full blooms, the large stretches of colours and the sweet scent of nectar in the air, far more fulfilling and satisfying than the way the sunlight was filtering through the leafy canopy. There wasn't anything on earth that could effectively capture the beauty of the mating bond, of what it meant to be completed on such an intrinsic, deep level. It transcended everything- it was infinite and limitless; the stars didn't write these stories but were made of them.

It filled and encompassed the essence of existing and being.

It was something that as I lived made me wonder how old I would be when I found my mate, how many decades or centuries would pass before I'd meet my soul intended, would meet my mate, if there was more than one. I knew I had all the time in the world and yet was selfish enough to wish that I had more than just infinity with them.

And with the sweetly endeared beautiful voices that spoke to each other on the other side of the trunk, I felt a pang of wistfulness, felt oddly enchanted by their voices, their words of what a sweet mate was. It made me long for a mate of my own. To experience what endless sheets of parchment were dedicated to. To see the magic and feel it brush against me.

And then the words grow quieter, become soft yearning even as one of the voices promise to be back soon, that they're just going to get something even as the other softly wheedles for them to stay.

I can't help the way my lips twitch when he huffs and settles against the tree, my own hand warming over the bark of the tree where the warmth of them seems to infiltrate the thickness of the tree, sparking against my touch.

My hand jerks back, having accidentally called for the warmth.

Whoever it was had one of the most beautifully burning souls I'd ever seen, strong constant flames of desire and love that flickered only higher and higher.

And the voices completely fall silent.

Vanish. Carried away with the gentle curling of wind.

I slowly move backwards, ever so quietly getting to my feet. Maybe now's the best time to retreat, to try and make my escape. Before they turn to walk to this end of the trunk, before the second figure returns.

But just as I'm drawing up my hanbok, gathering it from under my feet as I stand up three things happen all at once.

One. Slender leafy vines trail off the tree and wrap around my ankle and tug.

Two. My body jerks back and my other foot catches onto the fabric of my hanbok, body tilting backwards.

Three. Just as my eyes clench shut, body bracing itself for the inevitable collision with the ground, a smooth dulcet voice speaks- gentle and amused. And just as my body is curving backwards, the swooping sensation in my stomach as gravity tugs me down, I feel a hand come to rest against the base of my back, strong and steady and keeping me grounded and another hand that fists into my hanbok and tugs.

Tugs me upright, perhaps underestimating his own strength because my eyes go flying open and the sight of a devastatingly beautiful face, a contrast of smooth milky skin and jet-black hair on a deceptively young face is the first and last thing I see until his face looms closer, foreheads butting into each other and noses brushing.

And with that touch sparks seep out from where his skin touches mine, where our heads curve to each other, where my body feels tightly coiled up and loose simultaneously. Where my body feels true warmth for the first time in my existence, a warmth that seeps into my bones and curves around my heart.

And his face doesn't express shock, soft pink lips quirking up in a small smile, revealing the slightest flash of gums.

Cute.

But he'd miscalculated his strength and my own size because that brief instance of our bodies catching is only that. A minute instance before our bodies curve and fall backwards and all I can desperately think as my hands fly out is to protect, to keep my mate safe. And it works because a bed of flowers cushion him as he falls with me on top of him, hands pressed to either side of his head, whole perfect petals uncrushed as I peer at him.

And his small smile had transformed into an oh of surprise melts away, blinking up at me, at the way my body pins his to the bedding of flowers.

And then he laughs.

A beautiful breathless sound, head falling back.

"Like that Jin hyung?" he says.

And the second voice fills the air once more, delighted and fond.

"Even better Yoongi-ah. My vision has not a patch on you charming prince." The voice coos, soft and deep and smooth before it grows closer and louder, coming from the side of us.

And my head turns to see a perfectly sculpted face stare at me.

"Pleasure to meet you flower mate." He whispers, eyes sparking red before he leans forward and brushes his nose against mine.

"Can't have Yoongi being the only one to get an eskimo kiss." He says, generously plump lips curved up in a smile.

I feel the sun warm and hot against my skin, hands trembling slightly when our bond begins to slip into place, the layered warmth threatening to have me sag against the mate under me.

The mate under me.

My eyes widen as I scrabble away, kneeling at the feet of the man who just lounges and stretches, soft eyes as he peers at me.

"You were right hyung, I'm not afraid with him." he says, eyes drifting off me to look at the second male, Jin.

There's a proud tone when he speaks.

"I'm never wrong when it comes to my mates." He says.

And then he turns his warm gaze to me.

"So what's the prettiest flower called?" he asks.

I find my heart clenching at the sight of raw tenderness in his eyes, unguarded emotion.

There's a huff of laughter and a mumble of 'smooth charmer'.

"Kim Namjoon....just Namjoon actually." I say, words tripping over each other in their haste to get out.

Jin gives a delighted laugh.

"Pretty name for a pretty flower. But Just Namjoon...I think I'll say you're just ours." He says.

And his eyes flicker with promise.

With a bursting brimming soul. His enthusiasm and joy is infectious because Yoongi sprawled on the bed of petals brushes his hands with wonder and amazement as he sits up, looking at me.

"Watch out hyung. He started off with a bed made of flowers. Better up your game, this one's got charms." He quips.

And there's hope and the beginning of trust flickering in his eyes, pushing away a shadow as he looks at me.

"So glad to have found you Namjoon. I can tell already you're a pleasure to be around." He says.

And with two endearingly sweet tender smiles directed to me I'm all of a sudden aware of my unbeating heart, knowing if it would beat it would betray me.

Who knew that under an old tree trying to practice my ability I would find not one but two tethers to my soul?

Two people to call mate. To call mine.

Yet their eyes show nothing but confidence.

As if they'd known all along.

That under an old tree at the centre of flower fields they would find their mate.

And my traitorous soul flares with giddiness, turns into a soft puddled mess.

How romantic.

------

I watch the outline that had slowly began to take shape now reach a faint completed set of shapes.

I cock my head at it, there's something oddly familiar about it.

And then Jin hyung is smiling, laughing delightedly as he uncoils to his feet to scoop her up from behind, twirling her around with an exuberant smile.

"You beautiful girl, are you really going to paint us onto your wall?" he asks as he presses kisses the back of her head.

She laughs as she's let down, balance teetering momentarily before his hands scoop her upright, twirl her around to face him and look down at her, eyes brimming with love.

"Maybe...what if I am?" she asks coyly, lips tilted up in a smile, head cocked as she peers at him.

He smiles as he presses a kiss to the tip of her nose, noses gently brushing against each other as he tilts his head towards her.

"Then you'll make me swoon little one." he declares passionately, triggering pealing giggles as she shakes her head at him.

"I'll be your knight in shining armour, don't worry pretty prince." She says seriously before she's pressing a kiss to the base of his throat.

"I'm counting on it baby mate." He murmurs as he holds her close, eyes drifting to the wall.

I see it then. See the curves and lines make the outline of a body pressed over another, of another figure standing close.

She's drawn our outline.

She's captured the memory of us on the wall.

And it's movingly sweet and tender how she wants our story, my story splayed across the wall of her private space.

And I make sure she feels every single emotion of how much it means to me when she's tucked between the two of us in bed afterwards.

Draw the loose shoulders of the tee down to press reverent kisses to skin, mouthing and sucking at the mating marks I can see, across the delicate slender curve of her neck, her collarbone, shoulder and the generous swell of her breasts. And as she shudders and arches under my touch and then Jin hyung's, as our lips press soft kisses to her skin and she melts and becomes a pliant mess of limbs, I tuck her close, drawing her to hold against me, feeling her soft touch as she fists her hands in my pyjama top and nuzzles against my neck.

"Pretty flower..." she mumbles voice thick with both sleep and the hazy contentedness as she breathes lightly.

"My pretty flowers." Jin hyung echoes before drawing the sleeves of her shirt back up, hiding the soft splotches of colour from sight.

And with our arms full of sleepy hazy baby mate, the two of us fall asleep too. With our hands interlocked over her waist.

Safe. Loved. Home.

(THERE YOU GO!! SUPER DUPER SORRY THAT IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO PUBLISH THE NEXT CHAPTER BUT I WANTED TO MAKE JOON'S STORY SWEET AND INSPIRATION WASN'T COMING! AND I'VE BEEN SNOWED UNDER WITH ASSIGNMENTS SO JUST TRYING TO JUGGLE IT ALL! HOPE THIS CHAPTER DELIVERS AND DOESN'T DISAPPOINT! I WANT TO KNOW HOW EVERYONE FOUND IT! AND THE JITTERY NERVES SHE WAS FEELING WITH MINNIE'S STORY IS ALL GONE NOW! AND YOONGI!! HE DIDN'T FEEL SCARED OF JOON! AND IT WAS A VISION...SO BASICALLY THE TWO OF THEM SET UP FOR JOON TO FALL INTO THEIR ARMS AND BOY DID HE! AWW, I LIKED WRITING THIS CHAPTER- MADE ME SOFT, HOPE YOU ARE TOO AFTER READING! REACTIONS AND THOUGHTS PLEASE MY LOVES! AND TAKE CARE AND STAY SAFE LOVELIES!)

It's okay to stumble and fall. Because sometimes the place where we land isn't what we expected but takes us to the place we never knew we needed to get to. Sometimes stumbling and falling is what we need to gather the strength to rise up on our feet more stable and stronger than before. Falling doesn't make us weak because getting up requires strength.

Borahae! 💜💜💜

PurpleQueenie <3